But Cleopatra would not consent to this.

She urged him to give Octavius battle at sea.

The motive which induced her to do this has been supposed to be her wish to provide a more sure way of escape in case of an unfavorable issue to the conflict.

She thought that in her galleys she could make sail at once across the sea to Alexandria in case of defeat, whereas she knew not what would become of her if beaten at the head of an army on the land.

The ablest counselors and chief officers in the army urged Antony very strongly not to trust himself to the sea.